Hazel Park robbery suspect had loaded gun, police say

A Hazel Park man is charged with armed robbery in his hometown less than a month after he pleaded guilty in Warren to using false information to obtain a pistol.

Terri L. McCants, 20, is jailed on $150,000 cash bond. He is charged in Hazel Park 43rd District Court and is scheduled for a pre-exam conference at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

McCants is accused of robbing another Hazel Park man as he walked along the street near the intersection of East Goulson and Hughes late July 3.

“The suspect grabbed the victim, pointed a gun at his heart and demanded his money,” said Hazel Park Police Lt. Brian Buchholz. “The victim handed over about $16 and change and his cell phone.”

The on-street robbery happened about 10:30 p.m., one block east of Nine Mile Road and two blocks west of Dequindre, police said.

The suspect ran north following the robbery, Buchholz said. The man who was robbed ran to call police.

“He ran to a resident’s house and asked to use a phone to call us,” Buchholz said.

Police said they went to the area and found a man matching the description of the suspect several blocks away. Once the suspect saw the officers he took off running, but was caught after a short foot chase, police said.

Officers found the suspect was carrying the victim’s money and had his cell phone, Buchholz said. Police said they also found a gun they believe the suspect ditched as he ran from officers.

“Officers recovered a loaded, .32-caliber revolver,” Buchholz said.

The armed robbery charge against McCants is punishable by up to life in prison. He also faces a felony firearm charge, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

McCants was arrested in Warren on June 8 and charged with carrying a concealed weapon. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of using false information to obtain a pistol, a misdemeanor, on June 20 in Warren 37th District Court and was sentenced to a year’s probation, according to court records.